North Cook News

Sheila Cruz, a resident of Illinois’s 25th District, shared her thoughts on a controversial ballot topic at a school board meeting June 9.

The Arlington Heights School District is seeking approval of a $75 million referendum to fund building projects, according to its website.

The funds would support several projects including the construction of 25 new classrooms for kindergarten at schools throughout the district, the district stated on its website. The district claims along with new classrooms, the funding would allow for all-day kindergarten.

Cruz opposes the proposal and said taxpayers would essentially be paying for childcare.

"The taxpayers of District 25 are not childcare banks,” Cruz said. “We moved to Arlington Heights knowing that if we had kids and needed to continue working, there were childcare options such as there are still today. If parents can’t pause their careers, then they know they have options (for) childcare. All-day childcare should not be coupled with academic curriculum in District 25. After all, kindergarten is optional, but first through eighth grade is not. Same with preschool, it is also optional. Taxpayers should not be paying for that either."

Joanne Carroll also shared her concerns about the proposal, highlighting poor communication.

"Advertising, I know you sent a mailer out, a lot of people I talked to did not receive the first one,” she said. “Did the second one even go out? I don’t think so. Second mailing not even going out, voting has already started, village hall is open on Monday. People are shocked when I knock on their door. No sign-up sheets for referendums, for community meetings. Who are these people coming in, talking, and telling you as the board they want this? Who are they? No banners are displayed outside, very hush hush, very quiet, very wrong and I also think you guys rushed this."

Voting for the referendum is underway and the results will become official July 19, according to the Daily Herald. According to the Cook County Clerk, early voting favors approval of the referendum by a slim 0.48% margin.

Over 2,400 ballots could still be counted in the coming weeks, the Daily Herald reported.